The humanitarian and security situation in Katanga province and in particular in the "Triangle of Death" (Manono-Pweto-Mitwaba) is seriously deteriorating with renewed ethnic clashes and fights between armed groups and the Congolese armed forces (FARDC). As a result, population movements are on the rise, with a total of 400.000 persons internally displaced in Katanga. Displaced people have been looted and villages burned down.

The latest round of the food security integrated phase classification, conducted in December 2013, estimated the population facing a food security crisis at 1.6M persons in Katanga.

Province Orientale

The situation in South Sudan has generated the voluntary return of thousands of Congolese refugees. HCR has already counted 6 254 spontaneous return since the beginning of 2014. They are located in Duru, Bangadi and Doruma in the far northeast of the province. Needs assessments are on-going.

North Kivu

ECHO conducted an evaluation mission in the Nobili-Kamango area, East of Beni along the border with Uganda. Following clashes between ADF-NALU armed group and Congolese armed forces (FARDC), an estimated 80 000 people are still internally displaced (and 30 000 have sought refuge in Uganda).

An ECHO mission confirmed that food needs and access to clean water are now critical after months of internal displacement. Humanitarian assistance has been limited by insecurity and protection issues. Additional assistance is now foreseen in the next few days and items will be transported via Uganda as the road from Beni is cut by fightings.

Emergency Response teams will be dispatched using an ECHO-funded UNHAS helicopter.

C.A.R. - Displacements

• Following the escalation of the inter-communal violence in the beginning of December 2013, the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the Central African Republic has increased to more than 838 000. Over 400 000 are reported in the capital Bangui. Sixty percent of them are children. Over half of the 4.6 million population of the country is in immediate need of aid. (ECHO)

South Sudan - Conflict

• The humanitarian situation has rapidly deteriorated as a result of the armed violence that broke out in the capital Juba on 15 December 2013, subsequently spreading to several states in South Sudan.

• Around 738 000 people have been internally displaced and 135 000 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. The dead and the wounded are estimated to be in the tens of thousands. (ECHO)